SUITS

Classes were canceled last Monday in our university and I was so clueless what was the reason but nonetheless I was glad. So, I spent the long weekend "hanging out" with my Mom and sister at home and watched the 2 seasons of the TV series SUITS.

 SUITS is a TV series all about lawyers, "pretend lawyers", and New York.  But I am not making this post to have an episode review or discuss the plot outline of the series or anything because I might just spoil everything. I do have a knack for that. Haha. 

I just really want to rave about my favorite characters:

Harvey Specter - What's not to like about him? He's dashing, pretends not to care but really does, shrewd, ahh just everything a woman could look for. Haha.

 I could get  a little too attached when I like a character so much. So, Harvey Specter is Gabriel Macht in real life. Imagine my disappointment and kilig at the same time when I found out that his wife in real life is Jacinda Barret who plays Zoe Lawford, his sort of love-interest as well in the series.

 And they have a beautiful daughter named Satine Anais Geraldine. I love the little girl's name. Satine as in the name of the female lead role in Moulin Rouge and Anais as in Anaïs Nin one of my favorite writers. Were they thinking about the same thing? Haha.

Rachel Zane - The ultra smart and hot paralegal. Aside from the fact that she's so brainy, I really love her work-wear fashion.Very stylish.

Louis Litt - Louis shouldn't be trusted. Louis is the bad guy. Louis is bitter. BUT I LOVE LOUIS! He's just pathetic but in an adorable way.

Donna Paulsen - Donna is Harvey's trusted secretary. She's just awesome and smart and sarcastic. Traits I really want for myself. Haha.

Two reasons why I like this series: first, it is set in Manhattan, New York - my dream place. Second, this series just inspires me to think like a smart-badass since I have Law 2 classes this semester and some of the cases in the series are actually relatable with our lessons.

I hope I didn't spoil much.
What are you watching now?

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FASHION FOR SALE!

Hey guys! 

So I decided to take business a shot since I have a lot of free time this semester.

I am currently selling these clothes which I also modeled and styled. 

See, I  am so bored with my life, I have to complicate it. Haha.

Okay, enough nonsense talk and let's get down with business.

To begin with the first item:

I stumbled upon this photo on the web. 

Made it  my peg and so I came up with this look:

Cream colored top only for P450.00

.*Shorts are not for sale.

PEG:

Jessica Stein of  TUULA

 Orange Jumpsuit with ruffle details only for P650.00
*Shoes not for sale
(I wore a blue-green version of this jumpsuit in this post)

Blue lace dress with see-through sleeves only for P550.00
*Shoes not for sale
This dress looks way more flattering to girls with curves. :)

Black and white studded dress only for P450.00
That sexy dress perfect for a night out or a dressy event. :)



These clothes are all brand-new. Not pre-loved or vintage. :)
Interested?
Just fire away with a comment or email me at:
annaleahbernalbahinting@gmail.com

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LES MISERABLES

I've never seen an actual musical / broadway theatre show. But I've always enjoyed musical films like Moulin Rouge, Mamma Mia and er, High School Musical? Haha.

But anyway, the "Les Miserables" movie adaptation is one of the movies I've been looking forward to see this year. I read the book last year when I found out that there will be a movie adaptation with a superb cast. So, I watched it first with my friends Toni and Staven one Thursday evening when our Law 2 classes were cancelled. We tried to catch the last full-show. We made it but sadly we weren't able to finish it. And we were actually laughing the whole time. Haha. I watched it the second time with my Mom and sister. Good thing my Mom read the book as well because we were comparing notes and all.

Well, I don't know, I love Russell Crowe's singing. You know, JAVERT (You have to say his name with fear). Haha. And yes, I've enjoyed both Fantine and Eponine's solo acts. But I like the latter the most. The movie was lengthy just like the book. But personally, while I was reading the book, I enjoyed Cosette and Marius' love story. It was all so romantic in the book. Too bad it seems a little too condensed in the movie.

Have you watched it? Thoughts?


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COFFEE

So I'd just like to share that Mom bought this cute mug with a Starbucks logo on it from a bargain store. It comes with a cute spoon which makes sipping coffee impossible. Oh diba, parang naka-"Starbucks" kami everyday sa bahay kahit Nescafe lang yung kape namin? Haha.  

"Coffee" is the title post because the weather these days consistently calls for a cup of one. I am not much of a coffee drinker but the weather encourages me to. The frequent bed-weather is to be blamed for my laziness and anti-social tendencies. I find myself going home immediately after school and snuggle in bed and watch movies or contemplate and write in my journal endlessly and play Yuna on the background. I don't know, the rainy mood just puts you to a sentimental mode. The bed-weather has been regular and it feels very unusual since GenSan is normally a warm and sunny city. 

Well, I am just making this post to rant. First, my phone got stolen. No need for details but yeah I admit I still have separation anxiety for that thing. Second, I started my jogging routine already. Yey for that! But truthfully, it happened only once this week. Haha. I should try harder. I should really train myself to wake up earlier. And third, I was asked to host for a school event. I'm excited! One thing  I am looking forward to do next month!

Days are slipping by so fast, don't you think? Next week would already be the love month.

And let me ask, how do you spend a day-in? 

I mean, what do you do to keep yourself from boredom when it's raining and there's nothing left to do but stay home?

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SOUNDTRACK OF YOUR LIFE

I'd like to quote it from Andi Eigenmann's blog, 

"Everybody dances to their own boom boom."

So for today, let me share to you the detailed history and evolution of my music tastes and  my favorite songs. 

Let me start with the very first song I have memorized and sang full length. It was "The Greatest Love of All". I was, I think seven or eight (? ) and Mom bought a tape of children's songs. Among us children, I was the one who had the most interest in the tape.

I remember standing beside our old and sturdy karaoke, holding the copy of the songs (the ones that come with the tape) and singing my heart out. My sister used to laugh at me because I guess I looked stupid. And up to now, she still teases me about it. Haha. But looking back, it was worth it specially that I have now understood the meaning of the song. Memorizing that song at at an early age contributed so much in developing my self-esteem. Pero chos lang. Haha. 




Then there was a phase when all boy bands showed up. Backstreet Boys, Westlife, A1--- you name it.
But I loved Blue the most. I remember having a big crush on Duncan James 'cause he brings out the best in me.<3



But if there was someone whom I had the biggest obsession with, it has to be MARIAH CAREY. I love Mimi and her sexy voice. Every other girls liked Britney or Christina but I was all in for Mariah. I remember promising to myself that I'd always write "Mariah Carey" in the "Favorite Singer" part  of every slumbook that I get to fill up for. Haha.

I love her song "We Belong Together" the most.
It's my videoke anthem as well as one of my shower songs.



But now my music preferences sort of widened. Through the years, I've found myself filling my playlist with songs that are soulful, dreamy, smooth and soothing. Yung malambot sa tenga and pampatulog kind of songs. I think Mellow is the right genre to say. Mostly I like indie songs. Most of the artists are not known but their music is so good and the lyrics are beautifully written.

Here's my TOP 5:

TOP 1 - SOUL PURPOSE by NIGHTMARES ON WAX



This song will always be my number one feel-good song, the ultimate chillax song. It only has a few short lyrics and for the most part, it's instrumental. But I love it. Never fails to lighten up my mood when I am having a bad day and it makes me think of the beach or the next roadtrip.

TOP 2 - LIKE A STAR BY CORINNE BAILEY RAE



I love most of Corinne Bailey Rae's songs and this one's on the top of my list. It never fails to get me. It tickles my hopeless romantic bones. As in this song is romantic in the truest essence. That song you just want to dedicate to someone. Ha! Cheesy :))

TOP 3 - FLIGHTLESS BIRD, AMERICAN MOUTH BY IRON & WINE



You've probably heard this song while watching Twilight. This was Bella & Edward's first dance song. Again, the soft, dreamy and romantic element is there. This song is my lullaby. So soothing and calming. But the lyrics are quite difficult to comprehend. Still, I love this song. Never fails to put me off to slumber.

TOP 4 - HOW TO LOVE BY LIL WAYNE



I think this is everyone's favorite. Most girls are swooning over this song and I am no exception. I remember hearing this song over the radio for the first time, and it was love at first beat. Actually, parang lasing si pareng Lil Wayne dito. Pero yun yung charm ng song eh. Haha. I didn't choose to post the official music video because it had too much acting. Jejejeje. Peace.

TOP 5 - DEEPER CONVERSATION BY YUNA


(Just in case you don't know Yuna, here is her official website.)

She is a favorite of mine because her songs mostly have deep meanings but hidden in mundane words. Also, most of her songs are unpretentiously titled with just a single word like, "Tourist", "Coffee", "Sparkle", "Decorate". For me that's catchy. This one here makes it to my top 5 simply because of the lyrics and meaning. I believe that everything can change just by that one deep conversation.
It's so honest and real. I love that.



And oh, let me squeeze in timeless classics that I like:

SHE'S ALWAYS A WOMAN BY BILLY JOEL

"She can ruin your faith with her casual lies,
And she only reveals what she wants you to see."



VINCENT (STARRY STARRY NIGHT) BY DON MCLEAN

"For they could not love you
But still your love was true
And when no hope was left inside
On that starry, starry night"




Darn, I sound as if I'm a know-it-all music critique. Haha.
But yeah, there you go --- my favorite songs.


How about yours?
What's your boom boom?

xx

RESOLUTIONS

This post might be a tad late but it is because I have pondered, meditated and ruminated enough on the things that need serious editing about myself. See, I am turning twenty this year. I am about to leave the glorious kingdom of teenage-hood. But truth is, I feel like I am just somewhere sixteen and seventeen and that exact kind of mental state needs to change. 

Honestly, I am starting the year both being overwhelmed and feeling a bit strange. Overwhelmed because I seem to get anything I have wished for. Not exactly all but some and it's terrifying in some ways. Strange on the other hand because I feel I am not able to fully grasp my balance. Life and people seems getting weirder and weirder and I am "weirded" out myself. Recently, I find myself ricocheting between happiness and loneliness. 2012 was actually an awakening year. I learned a lot of things and whatever those lessons are, it birthed into these resolutions...

This 2013 I'll try to...

-Jog on mornings.

-Wake up earlier and witness the sunrise and not wake up when it’s high noon.

-Listen not to reply but to understand.

-Never judge anyone or else I’ll just end up being surprised.

-Stop flirting thyself into an awkward situation.

-Stop being the awkward situation.

-Shut up.

-Focus on one goal and work my out to reach it.

-Control emotions, especially when over enthused over something or someone.

-Delete “assume” and “expect” in my vocabulary.

-Not compromise myself too much to others.

-Stop being too polite. Be real.

-Stop being too available.

-Guard my heart.

-Play smart.

-Accept that the world is harsh.

-Walk my talk.

-Be a better conversationalist.

-Guard my health. Eat healthy.

-Meet more people. Widen horizons.

-Go somewhere.

-Increase alcohol tolerance.

-Be more creative.

-Stop being too attached.

-Stop feigning affection. It’s OKAY NOT TO CARE.

-Screen my stories. Not everyone’s interested.

-Say no to overthinking.

-Stop always feeling responsible.

-TAKE RISKS EVEN IF IT’S SCARY.

-Think before talking.

-Say NO when I mean NO and say YES when I mean YES.

-Stop being nice to people who don’t deserve it.

-Grow up. Like seriously.

They don't exactly sound like my usual bubbly self, but I think that is what 2013 is all about for me. 

Time to toughen up.

xx

OCEAN

"Ocean" is the title post because I am currently listening to Frank Ocean. Yeah. What a reason.

Just a quickie post!

xx

BLACK & YELLOW

This was my ensemble last Sunday when me and my friends surprised our dear friend, Kristine on her 19th birthday.
We fondly call her "Pat" and I personally endear her my "ish". It was really a fun and amazing day but I guess that's not my story to blog.
So, here's the LINK of the full account of what happened that day from the birthday girl herself. :)

As for the outfit, it was lace-y and black. The bright mustard satchel bag broke the monotony. 

The bag by the way, was a Christmas pressie from my super lovely and gorgeous sister, Ate Mae. 

Thank you! :)

And lastly, here's our groupie pic to end that day:

Meet my awesome team: (Haha)
L-R: Staven, Luigi, Toni, Tita Neng (Toni's Mom), Fel, birthday girl Kristine, Melvin, myself and Akemi

Our dear friend Kent did the picture-taking duty. :D

Here's another one stolen from Toni's Instagram:

If you fancy any one of them, just click their names, they're on Twitter. Haha. :))

xx

YEAR RECAP: 2012

It is already the third day of 2013 but I am still not over 2012. It was a pretty good and blessed year for me though it started a bit tough because we moved houses a couple of times. But for the most part, 2012 was awesome and awakening...and let me count the ways: 

HIGHLIGHTS OF MY 2012:

1.) NEW HAIR --- Earlier last 2012, I sported a totally new look: from super long hair to a short bob.  The shorter version made me look younger. Though honestly, I miss my long hair at times. You know, I miss twirling and swirling and playing it around my fingers. But oh well, it's only hair. It will grow back :)

2.) CLIFF DIVING! --- (Which I blogged about here) So far, the most daring thing I've done in my whole existence. More to come for sure. :)

3.) MY 19th BIRTHDAY SURPRISE --- My friends surprised me again with a birthday dinner the night prior my 19th birthday. Last year, they surprised me too on my 18th birthday which I blogged about HERE. Can I just say that I am so lucky to have them? :)

4.) GATE-CRASHED A SHOW --- For the first time, I was able to watch the Opening Ceremony of the Tuna Festival with friends. What made this show extra-special was the fact that we actually gate-crashed the show. Only VIPs were allowed to have front-row seats but we managed to come in by pretending we were with some relatives who were already seated. Haha. Jeez, should I be dishing that? I remember I enjoyed the amazing fireworks that night. :)

5.) WENT BEACHIN' --- I can say my wanderlust was satisfactorily satiated last 2012. I was able to go to different places especially white-sand beaches mostly just around Mindanao. There will be more places to discover this year, more reasons to rock a bikini! ;)

6.) CALL ME MAYBE VIDEO WITH FRIENDS --- I am so happy that my freshmen blockmates and I got reunited. Truth be told, there was an awkward phase for us when we started having different schedules and started exploring other circles. Luckily, we had same classes again and for the most part of 2012, we were back in each others arms. Man, that was cheesy. Friends for keep you say? :)

7.) NISE A DRESS-UP PARTY @ 19 --- Blogged about HERE

8.) FUN PHOTOSHOOT --- And blogged about HERE and HERE

9.) BOOKS I'VE READ --- 

• Personality Plus by Florence Littauer is I can say, the book that changed my life. I had fun learning about the four types of personalities. It made me understand myself and even others. Okay I have to stop myself from spoiling it from you. But this book is really good if you're interested in getting to know yourself more.
• Love Story by Erich Segal  - Read it actually in high school and read it all over again. Same effect.  ♥
• Les Miserables by Victor Hugo - Because I want to see the movie. :)
• The Hunchback of Notre Dame by Victor Hugo - I didn't know the original novel was so damn tragic. It marred my childhood! Haha.
• The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint Exupéry - I tried to read this classic piece back in high school but I really couldn't get the gist of it. This year, last summer to be exact, I read it again and finally understood the whole meaning of it. Guess there are just some books that takes some maturity for us to fully grasp the message of it.
• Eleven Minutes by Paulo Coelho - One word: LIBERATION.

10.) THE LITTLE THINGS ---    TRIED THE LOTTERY - Have you seen the movie Eat, Pray, Love? There's this scene that goes:    “There's a wonderful old Italian joke about a poor man who goes to church every day and prays before the statue of a great saint, begging, "Dear saint-please, please, please...give me the grace to win the lottery." This lament goes on for months. Finally the exasperated statue comes to life, looks down at the begging man and says in weary disgust, "My son-please, please, please...buy a ticket.   That scene hit me. That's why I tried my luck with lottery for the first time and prayed, but to no avail. Haha. But then it made me happy that I gave it a shot. :)  

THE REST:     I finally know how Sparkling Water tastes. Painted my nails more often (and remove it immediately after). Saved for those cute flats. Doodled more.

  11.) BIRTH OF CHIC CHEAPSKATE BLOG --- I have tried blogging before but this Chic Cheapskate blog is my real baby. I had to muster every ounce of courage and confidence to start up this one. I had to annoyingly bug my friends to help me with the photos and all. It's not easy but I know this is something I really want to do and I will continue doing so. :)       All in all it was a good year although I personally think it came by so fast. I've learned so many things, did a couple of things for the first time, met new people, scratched a few things on my Bucket List and so much more. I can't wait on how 2013 will roll by. :)       What made your 2012 special?

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